Symptoms

Since the disc material usually presses on a nerve, poor innervation in the musculature of the respective segment occurs, resulting in pain. Likewise, the muscle strength may be reduced and there is a sensitivity disorder. The patient suddenly can no longer hold the cup or feels an extreme tingling sensation along the arm.

Usually the hands and arms fall asleep more often at night, which is caused by poorer innervation or increased muscle tone, especially in the shoulder-neck muscles. In addition, the head‘s movement is restricted, which is caused by the muscular protective tension of the muscles or by the altered continuity of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. A common symptom of a herniated disc is headache. These are caused by the increasing pressure on the vertebral bodies or by the tension in the muscle, which thereby influences the head. The affected person gives the feeling of a too heavy head, which the cervical spine has to hold.

Headaches

Headaches are often found with a slipped disc in the cervical spine. Due to the shifting of the disc material and the resulting increased muscle tension to protect the tissue, headaches can occur. The trapezius muscle and the short neck muscles are often involved.

The increased tone gives an enormous tension to the cervical spine, so that the patient can no longer feel the feeling of “letting go”. Continuing to do so causes headaches. In addition to painkillers, which are often prescribed by the doctor for exactly these symptoms, physiotherapy helps to alleviate the symptoms.

In therapy, the tension is mainly removed from the cervical spine. This involves careful traction of the cervical spine, with the patient lying on his back and the therapist holding the head in his hands. He holds the head fixed and pulls it away from the cervical spine.

The tension of the structures attached to the head is released and the pressure on the intervertebral disc continues. Trigger points in the area of the neck muscles, trapezius but also in the area of the head (headache points) should be treated by the therapist. In general, however, an examination of the head should also be performed to rule out other diseases.These topics may also be of interest to you:

Exercises against headaches
Headaches caused by the cervical spine
Physiotherapy exercises for the neck